August 2005 News

August 29, 2005 At the end of July, faculty received e-mail regarding the removal of Social Security Numbers (SSNs) from computerized test-scoring forms. Protecting the personal nonpublic information (PNPI) entrusted to faculty, goes far beyond test-scoring forms, however.
» Read the full story on UDaily.

August 11, 2005 From Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), "Beginning September 6, PBS will make available—exclusively over the Internet—broadcast television's first entirely downloadable series, NerdTV, featuring PBS technology columnist and industry insider Robert X. Cringely's interviews with personalities from the ever-changing world of technology." Visit PBS for the rest of the story.

August 11, 2005 “People with different disabilities have difficulty navigating through the web,’’ Deborah A. Farris, ADA coordinator, said. “It’s not just our web pages; it’s the whole Internet. Cyberspace is extremely inaccessible to many people. A well-designed page can help everyone.’’

There are many ways designers might create a page that works for most, but not all. Following accessibility standards assures that everyone will be able to use a web site. Standards, along with extensive information on web design, can be found at UD's IdeaCenter site. IT-User Services is hosting a free workshop on “Designing Accessible and Usable Web Sites” from 9 a.m.-noon, October 28.

» Register online and read more on UDaily.

August 9, 2005 Nancy Allinger, administrative assistant in Information Technologies-User Services, has been named Human Resources (HR) Liaison of the summer quarter for her outstanding service.

Faculty recipients of instructional grants have come to know Nancy as the one who keeps the books for their projects. Congratulations, Nancy!

Read the full story on UDaily.

August 3, 2005 Bill Gates offered some predictions of the future in an exclusive interview with The Chronicle of Higher Education. Of particular interest to those participants in our summer faculty institute who received tablet PCs is the answer to the following question,

"I'm personally the biggest believer in [tablet computing]. It's definitely at an early stage. We've gone from most students using desktop computers to using portable computers, and so the question is, how, over time, can we make those portable computers something where they not only have the keyboard, but they also have the pen, and they have the ability to work with speech as well. We have this piece of software called OneNote that's actually doing super well on campuses, that lets people take notes, record things, and it works with both text, ink, and audio in this very nice way."

Read the full interview at The Chronicle of Higher Education.

August 2, 2005 In the August/September 2005 issue of Innovate, the focus is on the role of video game technology in current and future educational setting. Richard Halverson contends that valid learning principles inform successful video games and discusses how they might be integrated in educational contexts. Melanie Zibit and David Gibson describe simSchool, a video game that prepares teachers for the complexities of classroom management.

Read these articles and more at Innovate, Journal of Online Education.